Kisses etc.

K I S S E S etc.

B E I N G A N

ENGLISH TRANSLATION in VERSE

OF THE

B A S I A

OF

JOANNES SECUNDUS NICOLAIUS

OF THE

H A G U E

_________________________________

L O N D O N

Printed for T. DAVIES

M, DCC, LXXV

DESCRIPTION

(iv) + 223 + (iv)

Book measures 180mm x 120mm approximately.

Bound in full contemporary calf and more recently re-backed. New spine has five gilt-ruled raised bands with floral motifs to compartments and contrasting tan title label. Includes engraved frontispiece representing the "origin of kisses" and an engraved vignette on the second title.

CONDITION

The binding is holding extremely firm indeed. Boards show some wear and scuffs and repair marks for new spine hinges. Internally the pages are generally browned with an occasional spot. Shadowing to title page caused by the engraving. Previous owner bookplate to front paste-down.

Overall, a lovely tight and pleasant copy of this rather rare work.

INTERESTING

Johannes Secundus (1511 to 1536) was a New Latin poet of Dutch nationality. Born Jan Everaerts in The Hague, his father Nicolaes Everaerts was a well-known jurist and friend of Erasmus. Secundus was a prolific writer, and in his short life he produced several books of elegies on his lovers Julia and Neaera, epigrams, odes, verse epistles and epithalamia, as well as some prose writings. His most famous work was the Liber Basiorum (Book of Kisses, first complete edition 1541), a short collection consisting of nineteen poems in various metres, in which the poet explores the theme of the kiss in relation to his Spanish lover, Neaera. The 'Basia' are really extended imitations of Catullus, and some poems from the Anthologia Graeca; Secundus situates his poetry, stylistically as well as thematically, firmly with the Neo-Platonism and Petrarchism into his poems.